Posts by patio34

10

Bible-Trained, Christian Conscience?

by patio34 in

jw
friends

in another thread by silent lambs, there are several references to the subject line.

as a neophyte atheist/evolutionist (possibly) it seems as if the above references to 'christian, bible-trained' conscience imply some superiority to others of humans' consciences.

i'm confidant there are many of my ilk who have made many huge contributions to the human race and were of high integrity.

patio34

Hi Stephanus,

The list of names is proferred merely to show non-theists do not need a 'Bible-trained conscience' in order to be very moral persons.

Since leaving JWs and the Bible, I have found myself more honest in some areas because it's what I want to be, not what someone is telling me i have to be.

And in other areas, less honest. The picayune things such as whether someone is in a meeting instead of the restroom that don't matter.

Moral people don't need the Bible or other holy book necessarily. And Christians do not have a superior morality necessarily. In fact, maybe inferior at times.

Pat

14

i have a really difficult problem on my hands and i would very much appreciate some input.. some years ago, my wife and i offered accomodation to a female relative - lets call her auntie molly - who was experiencing some marriage problems.

it was a disaster.

she was irrascible, moody and incredibly badly behaved.

patio34

Hi Eman,

I agree with you 100%. I have a family member who treats everyone so badly and is now sick and demanding attention. Sorry, but what goes around comes around. Being sick doesn't make the abusive behavior disappear.

Mentally healthy people don't keep showing up to be mistreated, abused, unappreciated, and lied about.

The relative in my family also abuses alcohol and drugs.

If I feel I must do something for this ungrateful, cruel person, it's from a distance only. Send a card, cash donation if appropriate. But it's rare.

Being sick doesn't cancel out the rest of your life.

However, when my relative is on her death bed, I may soften my stance. However, mine is much closer than your's as it's an immediate family member and the obligation seems heavier.

Pat

30

What is the real meaning of life?

by Nicolas in

jw
friends

i mean, if we have been created by the evolution then, our life really have no purpose.

we live about 80 years and then we die and it's finish.

it seem really dull to me.

patio34

I think this question plays right into the hands of the religionists. Who says there HAS to be an express meaning to life other than one's personal meaning? The JWs, that's who. In order to keep their membership.

There's plenty of meaning to life as has been brought out on this thread. I for one have found much more purpose since not being a WT salesman is gone. I enjoy my life much more now. Concentrate on being a good citizen, worker, grandmother, and person. I try to brighten others' lives WITH NO ULTERIOR MOTIVE such as how can I witness to this person. I just enjoy other people. They are no longer 'wicked worldly people' in line for destruction. Etc. You know how the reasoning goes.

Pat

24

Where Do I Go Now? Is There An Answer??

by individual in

jw
friends

with all the problems in the 'truth' and all the things that we know are wrong with it there seems to be aspects of their theology (i.e the sequences of the world powers, statue in daniel, the promise of world restoration again found in daniel) that to me still make sense.

although i cannot follow a religion that believes in the destruction of all humanity barring those that respond to their own preaching work i still believe in a creator and cannot accept the teachings of other religions that have no purpose for the earth and believe that mankinds only destiny is in heaven.

my mind keeps telling me that if god was behind a religion it would be so much better than that of the jws.

patio34

Not to trivialize your concern, but the answer to the question "Where do I go?" is "Anywhere you want!"

Who says there HAS to be somewhere to go? That question has been so emphasized by the WTS in order to bolster their own numbers.

Maybe it's a normal reaction after leaving such a controlling group, comparable to leaving prison where everything is decided for you. When you face freedom, you may feel "Where do I go?"

The world is your oyster. The library is full of books to learn from. Etc., Etc., Etc., !!

Pat

13

Is monogamy realistic?

by jonjonsimons in

jw
friends

do you believe that humans are capable of complete sexual monogamy?.

i believe 100% emotional monogamy is obtainable, but i'm not sure about sexual monogamy.

does gender figure into the equation?

patio34

In the book, "The Third Chimpanzee" Jared Diamond makes the point that based on animal studies and studies of the history of humans, that we are MOSTLY monogamous. As are a lot of other creatures.

Pat

10

Bible-Trained, Christian Conscience?

by patio34 in

jw
friends

in another thread by silent lambs, there are several references to the subject line.

as a neophyte atheist/evolutionist (possibly) it seems as if the above references to 'christian, bible-trained' conscience imply some superiority to others of humans' consciences.

i'm confidant there are many of my ilk who have made many huge contributions to the human race and were of high integrity.

patio34

Hi Francois and Silverleaf,

It's so true. I'm pretty sure Thomas Jefferson was an outspoken atheist. But there are plenty of others, I just don't want to take the time to look it up.

I should mention that the rationale of people bringing their own morality to a holy book is from a website by a 'smcroberts'. He has loads of good information on his search after leaving JWs. I don't have the address available right now, but the name may be enough.

He gave the example of Gandhi quoting a certain holy book, which when you looked into it, was not holy at all, but violent (kind of like the Bible?). But Gandhi overlooked those parts and superimposed his morality.

Pat

10

Bible-Trained, Christian Conscience?

by patio34 in

jw
friends

in another thread by silent lambs, there are several references to the subject line.

as a neophyte atheist/evolutionist (possibly) it seems as if the above references to 'christian, bible-trained' conscience imply some superiority to others of humans' consciences.

i'm confidant there are many of my ilk who have made many huge contributions to the human race and were of high integrity.

patio34

In another thread by Silent Lambs, there are several references to the subject line.

As a neophyte atheist/evolutionist (possibly) it seems as if the above references to 'Christian, Bible-trained' conscience imply some superiority to others of humans' consciences.

I'm confidant there are many of my ilk who have made many huge contributions to the human race and were of high integrity. There have been many notable persons who were not Christian or Bible-trained.

There also is a case to be made for the ones who have used negative facets of the Bible (everyone knows these--genocide, slavery, rape, incest, murder, polygamy) as their guide to great harm.

In fact, another arguement can be made that a person brings their own morality to the Bible or other holy book. I.e., they use the parts that seem to be up to their own moral standards.

What do you think?

Pat

77

JW Child Abuse: An Insider's Insight

by silentlambs in

i post the following at the request of barbara anderson.. .

as a result of the newspaper report calling attention to my actions i feel compelled to provide further information that has come to light and deserves full exposure.. the society is very much aware of my intentions, because of a private e-mail i innocently wrote someone was forwarded to the society without my permission.

you can read it in its entirety, below.

patio34

I appreciated reading all of this and having my consciousness raised about this disgusting issue. I will be drafting a letter to the WTBS this week.

Pat

51

Some Witnesses Enjoy Witchcraft!

by metatron in

jw
friends

i guess i've just been naive.. i was surprized to find that some 'super loyal'.

witnesses i know have been practising witchcraft.. of course, they'd never call it that - it seems that.

when various illnesses arise you get out an assortment.

patio34

It's up to each individual to be responsible enough for their own health care and to do the homework. Their choice, their consequence.

What IS wrong IMO is when one non-professional arrogantly pushes their unsolicited advice to tell others what they should do. This even in the face of life-threatening illness.

When I had cancer, one arrogant 'sister' called me (we weren't even close friends) to 'just state her opinion' that it was foolhardy to take chemotherapy when she KNEW natural treatments could cure cancer.

What was hurtful is her willingness for me to die in order to test her theory. It is no one's business what others choose to do. So they, frankly, need to mind their OWN business.

The difference between advice and criticism is that advice is asked for.

Pat

7

WT teaches Jesus is SATAN

by Tallyman in

jw
friends

* http://www.intrex.net/talley/jesusatn.html.

i kontend that this is the absolute biggest flip-flop.

the watchtower society has ever produced.. now, i'll raise y'all one, and call.. .

patio34

Hi Tallyman,

Always enjoy your research and posts! Actually, this seems to be also an example of how the Bible is a fiddle upon which any tune can be played. Just depends on the fiddler.

Pat